Weekend in Review: Nov. 16-18, 2012

Vail Mountain kicked off their 50th Anniversary celebration on Friday with the dedication of their new gondola, "One." The new gondola was christened with the smashing of a champagne bottle against the center of its lower terminal.
Copyright: Jack Affleck

Thanks to an abundance of early season snowfall, coupled with strong efforts from their snowmaking team, Squaw Valley was able to open EARLY, on Friday Nov. 16.
Copyright: Nathan Kendall/Squaw Valley/Facebook

Alta kicked off their 75th ski season on Friday Nov. 16. Pro skier Rachael Burks was so dedicated that she caught first chair at Snowbird on Thursday AND Alta on Friday.
Copyright: Alta/Facebook

Kirkwood Mountain Resort opened up for the season on Friday Nov. 16. The resort that receives the most annual snow in Tahoe, 600"+, lived up to its name, receiving 2' of snow for opening weekend.
Copyright:Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Hardcore Vermont skiers and riders were able to get after it at Sugarbush's opening weekend. Great conditions and weather made for a perfect opening day for the Bush on Saturday Nov. 17.
Copyright: Sugarbush/Facebook

Sipapu was the first New Mexico ski area to open for the 11th consecutive year on Saturday Nov. 17. The ski area had the most trails open for opening day in its history and broke an opening day attendance record.
Copyright: Sipapu/Facebook

Thanks to a great push by their snowmaking team, Arapahoe Basin, whose opening day was on October 17, was finally able to expand skiable terrain to their upper mountain on Saturday. Skiers and riders were able to enjoy Lewanee Face, for top to bottom skiing and riding.
Copyright: Alan Henceroth